NESDIS WCDAS IFDS Hardware/Software Update

The Intermediate Frequency Distribution System (IFDS) is a series of specialized server racks containing radio frequency equipment whose specific duty is to route signals at the Intermediate Frequency of 70MHz to the different parts of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R series (GOES-R) antenna system. The original WCDAS IFDS Intermediate Frequency Distribution System (IFDS) was installed at WCDAS in 2008 via a competitive contract with ETL Systems Inc. GOES-R upgraded the IFDS, via a subsequent contract with ETL systems, in 2012. This expansion incorporated HR4, HR5, HR6, HR7, HR8, HR9 and added new IFDS/IFDS-SS units at NSOF and CBU. The original 2008 and 2012 upgrades are the same technology, software, and hardware versions.Routing includes uplink signals, downlink signals, and testing equipment in the antenna system. The signal routing for the IFDS is further controlled by software via the Intermediate Frequency Distribution System Switching Software (IFDS-SS). The current software is outdated no longer supported by the company that created it. A similar IFDS is being used by the EOWSG( Electro Optical Weather Satellite Geostationary) ground station in Dangara, Australia. WCDAS purchased a new ETL IFDS and wrote custom LabVIEW code for the IFDS-SS functionality.  In order to upgrade the software and ensure compatibility across programs, The decision was made to upgrade our current IFDS-SS software with this new NOAA software.To accomplish the IFDS-SS software upgrade, a hardware upgrade is first needed for the IFDS. This upgrade will provide the IFDS with newer Central Processing Unit (CPU) cards, these new CPU cards are Form-Fit-Function replacements compatible with the current hardware.  The also include functions required for IFDS-SS software